The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-12-16

uCiiIioA otllIC Will UCStA W CIV" AhsoA
esting in the public press. Although
the nominations will not for some
months yet be made. it is conceded on
all sides that Grover Cleveland will be
the Democratic nominee; the commit
ments to him have been so general by
the party press that there is no retract-
ing, however much some Of his friends
may be dissatisfied with his free trade
proclivities. The questions which will
come before the people in the next
election are fundamental; they in
volve the interests of not only the few,
but all. Right conclusions cannot be
reached in respect to the effect of free
trade and tariff on the prosperity of
the country without study and investi-
CATION. And now that these two in
many respects antagonistic national
policies are to be passed judgment up
on, the Importance of an educated vot-
ing population is manifest. In accord
ance with our form of government,
thousands of illiterate men, who have
no knowledge of the laws of trade
and our systems of government, will
come to the polls to settle vital ques-
tions, which the wisest of men often
approach with hesitancy. In order to
operate the machinery of the govern
ment successfully, there needs to be an
acquaintance with it by those who
possess the voting right. In no other
government in the world is there
greater necessity for an educated con-
stituency than in the United States.
Here the people are the sovereign
power, and unless that power is famil-
lar with the theory and practical
workings of government, how can it be
wisely managed? Instead of much
that has been taught in the public
schools which is never brought into
practical use in the business of life, in
struction on the duties of citizenship
is of primary Importance.
fla portion of the studies in the pub
lie schools, which are more accom-
plishments than real necessity, were
omitted. and the time thus gained given
to the study of the constitution and of
the departments of government under
which we live, and in the control of
which every citizen has responsible
share, there would be more intel|i-
gent voting population. Multitudes
would not then be so easily swayed and
influenced by the last speaker who ad
dresses them, nor would such great
numbers come to the polls as now on
the day of election, with their minds
half fixed how TO vote. The voting
people are the rulers, and they should
keep sufficiently posted in public af-
fairs as not to require political ennis
sary to make tour every year before
election to impart instructions to them
for whom to cast their ballots. 1t is
hardly creditable to voters to rely on
stump speakers for political informa.
ton, when the country is so we'll sup.
piled with newspapers of all shades of
politics. 1t is not true Of the news.
papers generally that they pervert
facts: they aim to be truthful, for all
untruthful newspaper can have no
reputation or influence. Different con-
illusions may be and are drawn from
the same statements of fact. Every
reader of a we'll conducted paper can
arrive at the true issue, and upon that
can form his own opinions, independ-
ent of the expressed sentiments of his
paper. In this age, when intelligence
is disseminated broadcast through the
press, there is no excuse for an unin-
formed voter.